Paula Pell
American comedy writer, producer and actress
Paula Pell (born April 15, 1963)[ 1] is an American comedy writer, producer, and actress. She is best known for her work as a writer for the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from 1995 to 2020.[ 2] [ 3] [ 4] For her work on SNL and 30 Rock , she has been recognized with a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program and six Writers Guild of America Awards .[ 5] In 2019, Pell was honored with the Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence .[ 6]
Pell has produced, written, and performed in numerous TV series, including 30 Rock , A.P. Bio , Love , and Mapleworth Murders , and has worked as a writer for awards ceremonies like the Academy Awards , the Golden Globes and the MTV Video Music Awards . As a voiceover artist, she has voiced characters in Inside Out , Big Mouth , and Bless the Harts . Pell has also appeared in several films and TV series, including Sisters , Other People , and Wine Country . Since 2021, Pell has been a main cast member on the Peacock original series Girls5eva .
Early life
Born in Joliet, Illinois , Pell wanted to be an actress from an early age. She studied acting and visual art at Orlando's Seminole Community College and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville .[ 7] She took a job at Walt Disney World , working in the nightclubs of the resort's adults-only Pleasure Island section.[ 8]
Career
Pell was a writer for Saturday Night Live from 1995 to 2013. She is credited with creating some of its memorable characters, such as Debbie Downer , the Culps , Justin Timberlake 's Omeletteville mascot, and the Spartan Cheerleaders, among others.[ 9] She also was a producer and writer for the sitcom 30 Rock , and is credited with writing the episodes "Argus" and "Floyd" . In 2006, a pilot she wrote, Thick and Thin , was picked up by NBC for 13 episodes, with Pell as executive producer, but it never aired in the United States.[ 2] Pell has worked with Judd Apatow providing additional writing for the films Bridesmaids and This is 40 .[ 10]
As an actress, Pell appeared in several episodes of 30 Rock as the wife of Pete Hornberger and played the mother of Ron Swanson in a 2011 episode of Parks and Recreation .[ 3] She has also appeared as an extra or in bit parts in dozens of SNL sketches. She voices Gadget Gal in the Hulu original series The Awesomes .[ 11]
She has a small cameo in the 2013 comedy film Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues . She co-created the web series Hudson Valley Ballers with fellow SNL writer and long-time friend James Anderson with whom she also co-stars.[ 12] Tina Fey produced and starred in Pell's first feature screenplay, Sisters (2015).[ 13] Pell also played the dream producer and Mom's Anger in the 2015 Pixar film Inside Out . From 2016–2018, she guest-starred in the TV series Love as Erika. She also played a character based on Elaine Stritch in the mockumentary musical episode "Co-op" on Documentary Now! [ 9] She appeared in one episode of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt in 2017, season 3 episode 10. She plays Helen Henry DeMarcus on the show, A.P. Bio . She also plays Aunt Mo in the Showtime series SMILF .[ 14]
Pell co-starred alongside several other Saturday Night Live alumnae in the 2019 Netflix original comedy Wine Country .[ 15]
On August 10, 2020, the comedy-mystery Mapleworth Murders , which she also co-wrote and executive produced, aired on Quibi .[ 16] Pell was nominated at the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series for her performance.[ 17] Between 2020 and 2021, Pell voiced several characters in the animated series Bless the Harts .[ 18]
In 2021, she began starring as Gloria McManus in the Peacock comedy series Girls5eva .[ 19]
Personal life
Pell is openly gay.[ 20] She was married for 17 years before getting divorced.[ 21] She later married Janine Brito on November 13, 2020.[ 22] [ 23]
Filmography
Film
Television
Paula Pell television work
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1991
Super Force
Mrs. BIloxi
Episode: "A Hundred Share"
1992–1993
Welcome Freshmen
Mrs. Gillman / Hillbilly Teacher
2 episodes
2002
The Colin Quinn Show
Various characters
3 episodes
2007–2013
30 Rock
Paula Hornberger
6 episodes, recurring role
2011
Funny or Die Presents
Lady Refs
3 episodes
Parks and Recreation
Tamara Swanson
Episode: "Ron and Tammys "
2012
The Front Desk
Herself
Episode: "Turn Down"
2013–2015
The Awesomes
Gadget Gal
Voice, 30 episodes[ 24]
2013
Hudson Valley Ballers
Paula
Main role, 14 episodes
2014
Monkey Love
Ariana
Episode: "Girls Night Ou"
2015
Above Average Presents
Mom 1
2 episodes
The Mindy Project
Evelyn
Episode: "Road Trip"
2015–2019
Documentary Now!
Patty / Patti Skrowaczeski
3 episodes
2017
SMILF
Aunt Mo
Episode: "Run, Bridgette, Run or Forty-Eight Burnt Cupcakes & Graveyard Rum"
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Bev
Episode: "Kimmy Pulls Off a Heist!"
2017–present
Big Mouth
Barbara Glouberman / Lola's Couch Pillow / Bubbe
Voice, 30 episodes
2017–2018
Love
Erika
7 episodes, recurring role
2018–2021
A.P. Bio
Helen Henry Demarcus
Main role (seasons 2–4), Recurring (season 1)
2019
No Activity
Daisy / Trucker
Voice, 2 episodes
2020
Mapleworth Murders
Abigail Mapleworth
Main role
2020–2021
Bless the Harts
Ruth / Lenore
Voice, 3 episodes
2021–present
Girls5eva
Gloria McManus
Main role, 22 episodes
2022
Duncanville
Voice, episode: "The Sharent Trap"
2023
Not Dead Yet
Marlena Quintro
Episode: "Not Friends Yet"
Die Hart
Cynthia
4 episodes
The Slumber Party
Principal Petersen
Disney Channel Original Movie [ 25]
Monsters at Work
Sunny
Voice, 4 episodes
2024
Dream Productions
Dream Director
Main role[ 26] [ 27]
Producer and screenwriter
Awards and nominations
References
^ Bendix, Trish (October 24, 2013). "Paula Pell on being out in the "SNL" writers' room and her new web series - AfterEllen.com" . AfterEllen.com . Retrieved June 22, 2014 .
^ a b "Paula Pell" . Here's The Thing . NPR. November 26, 2012. Archived from the original on April 12, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2013 .
^ a b Longwell, Todd (December 2, 2011). "Pell: 'SNL' scribe plays for bigscreen laughs" . Variety. Retrieved July 10, 2013 .
^ Evans, Bradford (January 8, 2013). "Talking to Paula Pell About Working at 'SNL' for 17 Years, Writing with Apatow, and Other Stuff" . Splitsider. Archived from the original on August 12, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2013 .
^ "Paula Pell" . Television Academy . Retrieved June 28, 2022 .
^ "WGA Awards to Honor Comedy Writers Merrill Markoe and Paula Pell" . The Hollywood Reporter . December 15, 2019. Retrieved June 28, 2022 .
^ "Paula Pell, queen of comedy: On her "SNL" years, making "Wine Country" with Amy Poehler and more" . Salon . May 13, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2019 .
^ Harris-McCray, Chandra (May 14, 2013). "Funny Lady" . Tennessee Alumnus . Retrieved September 1, 2020 .
^ a b Erbland, Kate (May 17, 2019). "You Might Not Know Paula Pell's Name, But You've Loved Her Comedy for Decades" . IndieWire . Retrieved May 23, 2019 .
^ Erbland, Kate (May 17, 2019). "You Might Not Know Paula Pell's Name, But You've Loved Her Comedy for Decades" . IndieWire.com .
^ Walker, Allison (September 23, 2014). "SNL's Paula Pell 'waiting for the action figure' " . News 13 . Archived from the original on January 12, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2015 .
^ Hartsell, Carol (December 17, 2013). "10 Reasons You Should Watch 'Hudson Valley Ballers' Right Now" . The Huffington Post . Retrieved July 12, 2015 .
^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (February 4, 2013). " 'Pitch Perfect' Helmer Jason Moore In Tune With Tina Fey For Uni Comedy 'The Nest' " . Deadline. Retrieved July 10, 2013 .
^ Schulman, Michael (June 18, 2021). "Paula Pell's Hot Streak" . The New Yorker . Retrieved July 2, 2022 .
^ "Wine Country (2019)" . IMDB.com .
^ Porter, Rick (December 3, 2019). "Lorne Michaels' Quibi Murder Mystery Lines Up All-Star Cast" . The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved July 7, 2020 .
^ a b Alyssa, Ray (July 13, 2021). "2021 Emmy Nominations: All the Shocking Snubs and Surprises" . E! Online . Retrieved July 2, 2022 .
^ Cobb, Kayla (October 2, 2019). "From 'King of the Hill' to 'Bless the Harts' Emily Spivey Is an Expert at Making Fun of the South" . Decider . Retrieved July 2, 2022 .
^ Chapman, Wilson (May 19, 2022). " 'Girls5eva' Star Paula Pell on the Mystery of Ashley's Death and Her Love of 'Joyful Losers' " . Variety . Retrieved July 2, 2022 .
^ Crittenton, Anya (May 10, 2019). "Gay comedian Paula Pell on getting her first on-screen love interest at 56" . Gay Star News . Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2020 .
^ Leishman, Rachel (May 10, 2019). "I Got to Geek out with Paula Pell over Wine Country" . The Mary Sue . Retrieved September 1, 2020 .
^ Crittenton, Anya (May 3, 2019). "Comedian Paula Pell says it's lonely dating as an older LGBTI person" . Gay Star News . Archived from the original on May 24, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2019 .
^ Paula Pell [@paulapell] (November 17, 2020). "On Friday the 13th I had the extreme luck of marrying my beloved @janinebrito on a sparkling day in front of our old pal and our dogs. We wore hastily purchased Target duds and cried so many joy tears. We can't wait to have a celebration w our friends and family when it's safe" (Tweet ) – via Twitter .
^ a b c "Paula Pell (visual voices guide)" . Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 22, 2023 . A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
^ Denise Petski (September 27, 2022). " 'The Slumber Party' Coming-Of-Age Comedy Movie Based On 'The Sleepover' Teen Novel Ordered By Disney Branded Television" . Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022 .
^ "Pixar Animation Studios" . Pixar Animation Studios . Retrieved August 10, 2024 .
^ "D23: Disney Reveals Inside Out Spinoff Dream Productions" . TV Shows . August 10, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024 .
^ Pedersen, Erik (July 8, 2021). "HCA TV Awards Nominations: 'Ted Lasso' Leads Programs For Inaugural Honors; NBC, HBO & Netflix Lead Nets" . Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved July 8, 2021 .
^ a b "Writers Guild Awards Winners" . WGA. 2010. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2019 .
^ "Paula Pell" .
^ "Paula Pell" .
External links
Eddie Izzard (2000)
Eric Drysdale , Jim Earl , Dan Goor , Charlie Grandy , J. R. Havlan , Tom Johnson , Kent Jones , Paul Mecurio , Chris Regan , Allison Silverman and Jon Stewart (2001)
Doug Abeles, James Anderson , Max Brooks , James Downey , Tina Fey , Hugh Fink, Charlie Grandy , Jack Handey , Steve Higgins , Erik Kenward, Dennis McNicholas, Lorne Michaels , Matt Murray, Paula Pell , Matt Piedmont , Ken Scarborough, Michael Schur , Frank Sebastiano, T. Sean Shannon , Robert Smigel , Emily Spivey , Andrew Steele and Scott Wainio (2002)
Rich Blomquist , Steve Bodow , Eric Drysdale , J. R. Havlan , Scott Jacobson , David Javerbaum , Tom Johnson , Ben Karlin , Rob Kutner , Chris Regan , Jason Reich , Jason Ross and Jon Stewart (2003)
Rich Blomquist , Steve Bodow , Tim Carvell , Stephen Colbert , Eric Drysdale , J. R. Havlan , Scott Jacobson , David Javerbaum , Ben Karlin , Chris Regan , Jason Reich , Jason Ross and Jon Stewart (2004)
Rich Blomquist , Steve Bodow , Tim Carvell , Stephen Colbert , Eric Drysdale , J. R. Havlan , Scott Jacobson , David Javerbaum , Ben Karlin , Rob Kutner , Chris Regan , Jason Reich , Jason Ross and Jon Stewart (2005)
Rich Blomquist , Steve Bodow , Rachel Axler , Kevin Bleyer , Tim Carvell , Stephen Colbert , Eric Drysdale , J. R. Havlan , Scott Jacobson , David Javerbaum , Ben Karlin , Rob Kutner , Sam Means , Chris Regan , Jason Reich , Jason Ross and Jon Stewart (2006)
Chris Albers, Jose Arroyo, Dan Cronin, Kevin Dorff , Dan Goor , Michael Gordon, Berkley Johnson, Brian Kiley, Michael Koman, Tim Harrod , Brian McCann , Guy Nicolucci, Conan O'Brien , Brian Stack , Mike Sweeney and Andrew Weinberg (2007)
Bryan Adams, Michael Brumm, Stephen Colbert , Richard Dahm, Eric Drysdale , Rob Dubbin, Glenn Eichler , Peter Grosz , Peter Gwinn , Barry Julien, Laura Krafft , Jay Katsir, Frank Lesser, Tom Purcell , Meredith Scardino and Allison Silverman (2008)
Rory Albanese , Rachel Axler , Kevin Bleyer , Rich Blomquist , Steve Bodow , Tim Carvell , Wyatt Cenac , J. R. Havlan , David Javerbaum , Elliott Kalan , Rob Kutner , Josh Lieb, Sam Means , John Oliver , Jason Ross and Jon Stewart (2009)
International National Artists